Bernd S. Palm - Introduction to AutoCAD 2016: 2D and 3D Design

Master the complexities of the worlds bestselling 2D and 3D software with Introduction to AutoCAD 2016 . Ideally suited to new users of AutoCAD, this book will be a useful resource for drawing modules in both vocational and introductory undergraduate courses in engineering and construction.

This book is a comprehensive, step-by-step introduction to the latest release of AutoCAD. Covering all the basic principles and acting as an introduction to 2D drawing, it also contains extensive coverage of all 3D topics, including 3D solid modelling and rendering.

• Written by members of the Autodesk Developer Network.
• Hundreds of colour pictures, screenshots and diagrams illustrate every stage of the design process.
• Worked examples and exercises provide plenty of practice material to build proficiency with the software.

Further education students in the UK will find this an invaluable textbook for City & Guilds AutoCAD qualifications as well as the relevant Computer Aided Drawing units of BTEC National Engineering, Higher National Engineering and Construction courses from Edexcel. Students enrolled in Foundation Degree courses containing CAD modules will also find this a very useful reference and learning aid.

Bernd S. Palm is an experienced Autodesk authorised author, lecturer and examiner. He works as a program manager, and develops course content, for online classes on different CAD software.

Alf Yarwood was a former Autodesk authorised author, lecturer and examiner who wrote numerous books covering the AutoCAD software package.

2D and 3D Design

Bernd S. Palm and Alf Yarwood

Autodesk
Authorised Author

First published 2015
by Routledge
2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 4RN

and by Routledge
711 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017

Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business

2015 Bernd S. Palm and Alf Yarwood

The right of Bernd S. Palm and Alf Yarwood to be identified as authors of this work has been asserted by them in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers.

Trademark notice: Product or corporate names may be trademarks or registered trademarks, and are used only for identification and explanation without intent to infringe.

British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library

Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data
Palm, Bernd S.
Introduction to AutoCAD 2016: 2D and 3D design / Bernd S. Palm and Alf Yarwood.
pages cm
Includes index.
1. AutoCAD. 2. Computer-aided design. I. Yarwood, A. (Afred), 1917- II. Title.
T386.A97.P35 2015
620'.0042028553--dc23
2015003273

ISBN: 978-1-138-92585-4 (pbk)
ISBN: 978-1-315-68353-9 (ebk)

Typeset in Sabon, Helvetica Neue and Trajan by
Servis Filmsetting Ltd, Stockport, Cheshire

The contents of this chapter are designed to introduce features of the AutoCAD 2016 window and methods of operating AutoCAD 2016.

AutoCAD 2016 is designed to work in a Windows operating system. In general, to open AutoCAD 2016 double-click on the AutoCAD shortcut in the Windows desktop ().

The AutoCAD 2016 shortcut on the Windows desktop

When working in education or in industry, computers may be configured to allow other methods of opening AutoCAD, such as a list appearing on the computer in use when the computer is switched on, from which the operator can select the program he/she wishes to use.

When AutoCAD 2016 is opened, the Start page appears, giving access to recent drawings, system information and the Start Drawing button (). The Drafting & Annotation workspace shows the following details:

Ribbon : which includes tabs, each of which when clicked will include a set of panels containing tool icons. Other tool panels can be seen by clicking an appropriate tab.

The Start Page

The AutoCAD 2016 Drafting & Annotation workspace

The Menu Browser

Menu Browser icon: A left-click on the arrow to the right of the A symbol at the top left-hand corner of the AutoCAD 2016 window causes the Menu Browser menu to appear (). Navigation bar: contains several tools that may be of value.

The Workspace Switching popup menu

The command palette when dragged from its position at the bottom of the AutoCAD window

The extended tooltip appearing with a click on the Line tool icon

The tooltip for the Circle tool and its popup menu

The Open icon in the Quick Access toolbar brings the Select File dialog to screen

The three-button mouse with scrolling wheel

Many operators working in AutoCAD will use a two-button mouse as a digitizer. There are other digitizers that may be used pucks with tablets, a three-button mouse, etc. shows a mouse that has three buttons, the middle mouse button being a wheel.

To operate this mouse, pressing the Pick button is a left-click , pressing the Return button is a right-click , which usually, but not always, has the same result as pressing the Enter key of the keyboard.

When the wheel is pressed, drawings in the AutoCAD screen can be panned (moves the drawing) by moving the mouse. Moving the wheel forwards enlarges (zooms in) the drawing on screen. Move the wheel backwards and a drawing reduces in size.